Atomic and molecular fluorescence as a stratospheric species monitor

The results of an investigation are presented evaluating the potential of atomic and molecular fluorescence as a stratospheric monitor of the concentrations of any one of 18 minor species: Cl, Cl2, ClO, ClO2, CO, H2, HCHO, HCl, HNO2, HNO3, H2S, NH3, NO, NO2, N2O, O, OH, and SO2. All spectral regions from the vacuum ultraviolet through the infrared were included. It was found that suitable systems can be constructed for the stratospheric monitoring of CO (5 ppb), NO2 (less than 1 ppb), OH (0.2 ppt), and O (50-200 ppt). The fluorescence sensitivities for Cl (0.5-1.0 ppt), H2 (0.2 ppm at 10 torr) and SO2 (1-10 ppb) are marginally insufficient with current technology.